MAPUSA
The Anjuna-Caisua Gram Sabha on Sunday adopted a series of resolutions aimed at safeguarding the village's character, unanimously rejecting any future move to urbanise the village, classify it as a commercial zone or permit land conversions under Section 39A of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act.
The issue of urbanisation was brought before the house by local resident Pradim Harmalkar, who cautioned members that the government's notification had merely been withdrawn following public opposition and had not been permanently scrapped. Jeremy Ferreira and several other villagers backed the concern, arguing that the proposal could resurface at any time. After deliberations, the Gram Sabha resolved to oppose any future attempt to declare Anjuna-Caisua an urban area and decided to communicate its stand to all concerned government departments.
Residents also voiced apprehensions over reports that Anjuna could be classified as a commercial zone, claiming such a move would adversely affect the village and its residents. Sarpanch Surendra Govekar clarified that the panchayat had not received any official communication or proposal from either the government or the Goa State Pollution Control Board regarding such a classification. Nevertheless, the Gram Sabha unanimously resolved to oppose any future proposal in this regard.
The meeting also reaffirmed its opposition to land conversions under Section 39A of the TCP Act. Ferreira raised the issue, following which Govekar informed members that both the panchayat and the Gram Sabha had already passed resolutions opposing such conversions. He added that the panchayat would once again write to the TCP Department objecting to the recently notified proposal.
Apart from planning issues, villagers demanded an update on the long-pending proposal to establish a cattle pound to address the growing stray cattle menace. Harmalkar and other residents sought to know the status of the panchayat's request for land from the Anjuna Comunidade. Govekar said the panchayat was pursuing the matter and had already written to the Comunidade seeking a suitable site.
Illegal roadside signboards also came under scrutiny, with villagers alleging that several commercial establishments, including clubs, had erected advertisement boards without permission, creating inconvenience for motorists and pedestrians. While Govekar said the panchayat had repeatedly removed unauthorised boards, they continued to reappear. Following demands from villagers, he assured the Gram Sabha that notices would be issued to the establishments concerned and further action initiated against the violations.
